Senior Researcher, Place-Based Evaluation & Learning

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Collaborate closely with a national intermediary to develop and implement evaluation and learning frameworks that are in line with the strategies, capacities, and contexts of their place-based partners.

• Spearhead the identification of metrics, data points, data sources, and data collection processes that strike a balance between rigor and feasibility.

• Create evaluation work plans that outline timelines and sequences for data collection, data entry, analysis, reporting, and learning cycles.

• Convert evaluation requirements into clear guidance for data systems, working alongside partner staff and technical administrators as necessary.

• Provide support during the initial execution of evaluation and learning activities, especially during start-up phases, while partners enhance their internal capacities.

• Design tools, templates, and protocols that empower partners to maintain evaluation and learning processes over time.

• Act as a thought partner to practitioner staff—linking data, evidence, and learning to practical decision-making.

• Deliver high-quality outputs such as evaluation frameworks and playbooks, data collection tools and protocols, reporting templates, learning briefs, and synthesis memos.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD with 3 years of relevant experience in a related field (such as Education, Sociology, Public Policy, Economics, Human Development, Public Health, Political Science, Psychology, or a related discipline), or a master’s degree coupled with a minimum of 7 years of relevant applied research or evaluation experience.

• Proven experience in designing and executing applied evaluation or learning frameworks, preferably in collaboration with nonprofit, community-based, or public-sector organizations.

• Experience in close collaboration with practitioners, translating research into practical tools and systems.

• Background in supporting place-based partnerships, cradle-to-career initiatives, or community-level systems change.

• Experience in creating case studies, learning products, or field-facing knowledge resources.

• A keen interest in topics such as education, youth development, housing and homelessness, workforce development, and neighborhood-based strategies.

• Willingness and capability to travel to partner sites as required.

• Familiarity with place-based, systems-change, or multi-partner initiatives is preferred, but not mandatory.

🏝️ Benefits

• AIR’s Total Rewards Program is structured to competitively reward our staff and motivate them to fulfill our essential mission.